Workers comp fraud may be costing Missourians millions

According to a news release from Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, 1.5 percent of all workers compensation claims are fraudulent.

"Workers compensation fraud affects us all," said Dick Dare, MEM special investigative unit manager. "When someone attempts to cheat the system, we all pay higher costs for goods and services, which hurts Missouri employers and business competitiveness.

Dare cited the year 1997, when $660 million was paid on 220,000 workers comp claims.

At 1.5 percent, he said, the loss to fraudulent claims would amount to $6 million annually.

MEM, with its headquarters in Columbia and offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, is the largest writer of worker compensation insurance in Missouri.